Spain's Daniel Vivian in action with Albania's Ylber Ramadani. (REUTERS/Carmen Jaspersen)
Aston Villa’s start to the 2025/26 campaign has been nothing short of disastrous.
Unai Emery’s side are without a win in their first three matches, beginning with a goalless stalemate against Newcastle United before suffering back-to-back defeats to Brentford and Crystal Palace.
Even more worrying for the Villans, they’ve yet to find the back of the net this season and sit 19th in the Premier League table, ahead of only Wolverhampton Wanderers.
It hasn’t been for a lack of activity in the transfer market. Villa secured high-profile signings such as Harvey Elliott from Liverpool, Jadon Sancho from Manchester United, Evann Guessand, and Victor Lindelof.
But so far, those reinforcements have failed to deliver results on the pitch, leaving the club already scanning the horizon for further upgrades.
Villa Want Vivian
According to a new report from Fichajes, Aston Villa are lining up a move for Athletic Bilbao defender Daniel Vivian as they look to stabilise their struggling backline.
The 26-year-old centre-back has been on the radar of several Premier League sides — including Newcastle United and Manchester United — but Villa are now stepping up their interest. Emery is said to view Vivian as a player who could instantly strengthen their defensive unit with his blend of experience, composure, and physicality.
Vivian’s current contract with Bilbao contains a €40 million (£35 million) buyout fee — a figure considered excellent value for money in today’s market for a defender of his calibre. For Villa, triggering that clause could be a statement signing to both fans and rivals.
Described by his Bilbao teammate Aitor Paredes as a “serious” player who “plays as if he’s the oldest on the pitch,” Vivian has earned plaudits in La Liga for his leadership and reliability. His style, maturity, and defensive nous would seem a perfect fit under Emery, who has often favoured tactically disciplined defenders in his systems.
A deal could develop as early as January, though a summer switch might be more realistic depending on Athletic’s stance and Villa’s league position.
That said, while shoring up the defence is clearly on Emery’s mind, fans might argue that with zero goals in three matches, it’s actually the other end of the pitch where Villa should be focusing their efforts.
About the Author
